The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspected members of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (Ansaru) terrorist group before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State and the alleged killing of two victims.
The suspects — Mahmud Muhammad, Abubakar Abbas, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani — appeared before Justice Salim Ibrahim on Wednesday on a six-count charge bordering on terrorism, conspiracy, aiding terrorist activities and withholding information from security agencies.
All five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the Federal Government, Mahmud Muhammad and Abubakar Abbas allegedly instructed members of the Ansaru group to kidnap and kill people across the country if they were arrested, with the aim of forcing the government to meet their demands.
The prosecution also alleged that the group was responsible for the May 15, 2026 attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, during which dozens of pupils and teachers were abducted.
The charge further claimed that two captives, Michael Oyedokun and Deacon John Olaleye, were killed and beheaded during the incident.
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The remaining three defendants were accused of conspiring with the group and assisting in carrying out the kidnapping and killings, while all five were also charged with failing to report information about the planned terrorist attack to security authorities.
Following their plea, the prosecution asked the court to remand the suspects in DSS custody pending trial.
Justice Ibrahim granted the request and ordered that the defendants remain in the protective custody of the DSS. He also directed that they be allowed access to their lawyers, two members of their immediate families and adequate medical care.
The case was adjourned until September 25 for the commencement of trial.
The Oriire school attack occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men invaded three schools in the area and abducted about 46 pupils and teachers. Most of the victims were rescued after spending nearly two months in captivity, while two captives lost their lives.
Meanwhile, retired and serving staff of the University of Ibadan donated nearly ₦6 million to support the rescued pupils, teachers and families of those killed during the attack.
The donation, presented at the Office of the Inspector-General of Education in Ogbomoso, was raised through voluntary contributions from academics, including former University of Ibadan Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kayode Adebowale, Bowen University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Jonathan Babalola, professors and other members of the academic community.
Chairman of the University of Ibadan support committee, Prof. Ezekiel Ayoola, said the contribution was aimed at helping victims recover from the trauma of the incident and reassuring them that they had not been forgotten.
The Inspector-General of Education for Ogbomoso Zone, Olubunmi Adisa, praised the gesture, describing it as a strong show of compassion and solidarity with the affected families.
